FLORENCE, SC – The Francis Marion University women's tennis team rallied after losing the doubles point to take the match down to the final singles result, but came up just short in a 4-3 Peach Belt Conference loss to Lander University on Saturday afternoon (March 20).
 
The FMU Women (3-7, 1-3) will play at Georgia Southwestern State University on Friday at 3 p.m. and then both Patriot teams will travel to Columbus State University on Saturday (March 27) for 11 a.m. matches. 
 
On Saturday, Lander earned the doubles point despite FMU sophomore Hermon Mikael and freshman Viktoria Leth winning 7-5 at the No.1 position.
 
Singles victories by Leth at No.2 (scores of 6-2, 6-2) and junior Eva Zannier at No.3 (3-6, 6-4, 6-0) allowed Francis Marion to pull even at 2-2.  After the Bearcats claimed a three-set win at the No.4 spot (6-2, 6-7 (4-7), 6-3), Patriot freshman Nargiza Yakhyaeva earned a hard-fought 6-3, 4-6, 6-0 victory at No.6 to again even the match, this time at 3-3.
 
However, at the No.5 singles position, Lander captured a come-from-behind 4-6, 6-2, 6-0 decision to clinch the match.
 
Women's Tennis
3-20-2021 at Florence, SC (Kassab Courts)
Lander University 4, Francis Marion University 3
Singles competition
1. Eduarda Ferreira (LUW) def. Hermon Mikael (FMUW) 6-2, 6-4
2. Viktoria Leth (FMUW) def. Chiara Gerbino (LUW) 6-2, 6-2
3. Eva Zannier (FMUW) def. Raquel Aco (LUW) 3-6, 6-4, 6-0
4. Maria Rey (LUW) def. G. Karatantcheva (FMUW) 6-2, 6-7 (4-7), 6-3
5. Roberta Armani (LUW) def. Camryn Cassetori (FMUW) 4-6, 6-2, 6-0
6. Nargiza Yakhyaeva (FMUW) def. Shea Connelly (LUW) 6-3, 4-6, 6-0
Doubles competition
1. Hermon Mikael/Viktoria Leth (FMUW) def. Eduarda Ferreira/Maria Rey (LUW) 7-5
2. Raquel Aco/Chiara Gerbino (LUW) def. G. Karatantcheva/Eva Zannier (FMUW) 6-1
3. Shea Connelly/Roberta Armani (LUW) def. Camryn Cassetori/Nargiza Yakhyaeva (FMUW) 6-4
 
Match Notes: Lander University 5-4 , 2-1
Francis Marion University 3-7 , 1-3
Order of finish: Doubles (2,3,1); Singles (2,1,3,4,6,5)